Hiffman Releases Q1 2026 Industrial Big Box Report

NAI Hiffman is pleased to present the Q1 2026 Big Box report, our firm’s in-depth look at statistics for industrial big box inventory in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Vacancy Improves While Construction Activity Rises

 

• First quarter net absorption totaled 2.1 million square feet, down 30% from the previous quarter but up 17.4% year-over-year.
• Elogistek occupied a 649,000-square-foot building at 160 Southcreek Parkway in Romeoville, marking one of the quarter’s notable move-ins.
• Chicago industrial leasing activity reached 9.1 million square feet in Q1, highlighted by Hyundai Translead signing for 1.38 million square feet at 2200–2600 Channahon Road in Rockdale.
• The I-80/Joliet Corridor led all submarkets with 5.9 million square feet of leasing activity, while the I-55 Corridor followed with 3 million square feet.
• Chicago’s big-box market currently has 117 available buildings totaling 46.8 million square feet, representing approximately 12% of total inventory, with very limited availability for occupancies approaching one million square feet.

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Construction

 

• Total active big-box construction reached 11.9 million square feet, representing a 34.1% decrease year-over-year, with speculative projects accounting for 52.4% of activity.
• New big-box developments gained momentum in Q1, with several projects breaking ground and signaling renewed developer confidence in targeted submarkets.
• The I-55 Corridor and Northwest Indiana each led construction activity with 2.3 million square feet underway, followed by the I-80/Joliet Corridor with 1.8 million square feet.
• The largest project currently under construction is a 1.2 million-square-foot speculative facility being developed by DHL in Plainfield, which was pre-leased by RJW Logistics in late 2025.
• Market fundamentals remain solid as demand for modern big-box facilities continues to be driven by third-party logistics providers, e-commerce operators, manufacturing growth, and onshoring activity, particularly in the I-80 Corridor where large-block availability is limited.

Detailed statistics and commentary are available in the Q1 2026 Construction Pipeline Report; click here to access the download. Detailed quarterly submarket reports will be available in the coming weeks.

Contact Us

Denes Juhasz
Director of Research
630-693-0645
djuhasz@hiffman.com

About NAI Hiffman:

NAI Hiffman is one of the largest independent commercial real estate services firms in the US, with a primary focus on metropolitan Chicago, and part of the NAI Global network. We provide institutional and private leasing, property management, tenant representation, capital markets, project services, research, and marketing services for owners and occupiers of commercial real estate. To meet our clients’ growing needs outside of our exclusive NAI Hiffman territory, we launched Hiffman National, our dedicated property solutions division, which provides property management, project services, and property accounting services across the country. NAI Hiffman | Hiffman National is an award winning company headquartered in suburban Chicago, with more than 250 employees strategically located throughout North America.

About Hiffman National: 

Hiffman National is one of the US’s largest independent commercial real estate property management and advisory firms, providing institutional and private clients exceptional customized solutions for property management, facility management, advisory services, accounting, lease administration, lender services, project management, marketing, and research. The firm’s comprehensive property management platform and attentive approach to service contribute to successful life-long relationships and client satisfaction. As a nationally bestowed Top Workplace, and recognized CRE award winner, Hiffman National is headquartered in suburban Chicago, with more than 250 employees nationally and an additional six hub locations and 25 satellite offices across North America.